Open Two Apps Side by Side on Your Samsung Tablet

Samsung tablets let you run two apps at the same time on the same screen—one on the left half and one on the right half. This feature is called split screen or Multi Window, and it works on most Samsung tablet models made in the last five years. You can drag the divider between the apps to make one larger and the other smaller, or close one app and keep the other running.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether your tablet runs Android 9 or earlier, or Android 10 and newer. Both methods take less than a minute once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the first app you want to use, then swipe up from the bottom to open the app switcher, long-press the app name, and tap "Open in split screen" or "Split screen view".
  • On older Samsung tablets (Android 9 and earlier), hold down the back button or use the app switcher menu to drag an app to the top half of the screen.
  • You can drag the divider between the two apps left or right to give more screen space to whichever app you need.
  • Close split screen by dragging the divider all the way to the edge of the screen, or by swiping up and closing one of the apps.
  • Not all apps support split screen—some will refuse to open in the second window, and you will need to pick a different app instead.

Split Screen on Android 10 and Newer (Most Current Tablets)

If your Samsung tablet is recent and runs Android 10 or later, the fastest way to split screen is through the app switcher. Open the first app you want to use—for example, Chrome or Gmail. Then swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold for one second. A row of recent apps will appear at the bottom.

Long-press (hold your finger down for two seconds) on the app you want to open in the second window. A menu will pop up with several options. Tap "Open in split screen" or "Split screen view" (the exact wording varies by tablet model). The second app will open on the right side of the screen, and the first app will shrink to fill the left half.

If the app you want is not in the recent apps row, tap "See all apps" or the grid icon at the bottom of the switcher. Scroll through your full app list, long-press the app you want, and select split screen from the menu.

Split Screen on Android 9 and Earlier (Older Tablets)

Older Samsung tablets use a different method. Open the first app, then press and hold the back button (the left arrow at the bottom of the screen) for two to three seconds. The app switcher will open and show your recent apps as cards.

Find the app you want to open in the second window and drag it upward to the top half of the screen. Release your finger, and the app will snap into place on the right side while your first app moves to the left. If dragging does not work, try long-pressing the app card instead—a menu should appear with a "Split screen" or "Multi Window" option.

Resize the Split Screen Divider

Once both apps are open, you will see a thin line dividing the left and right halves of the screen. This is the divider. Tap and hold the divider, then drag it left or right to change how much space each app gets. Drag it all the way to the left to give almost all the screen to the right app, or all the way to the right to do the opposite.

The divider also has a small icon in the middle—usually three dots or a line. Tap this icon to swap which app is on which side, or to open a menu with more options like minimizing one app or closing split screen entirely.

Close Split Screen and Return to Full Screen

To exit split screen, drag the divider all the way to the left edge or the right edge of the screen. The app on the side you dragged toward will close, and the remaining app will expand to fill the whole screen.

Alternatively, swipe up from the bottom to open the app switcher, find one of the two apps, and swipe it upward or to the side to close it. The other app will stay open and grow to full screen. You can also press the back button or home button to close the current app and return to full screen.

Apps That Do Not Support Split Screen

Not every app works in split screen mode. Some apps—particularly games, banking apps, and apps that require full-screen video—will refuse to open in the second window. If you try to open an app in split screen and nothing happens, or if you see an error message, that app does not support the feature.

Try a different app instead. Most Samsung preloaded apps (Calendar, Notes, Files, Internet) and popular third-party apps (Chrome, Gmail, YouTube, Slack) do support split screen. If you need a specific app and it does not work, check the app's settings or the Google Play Store page to see if there is a known limitation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is trying to open split screen before opening the first app. You need at least one app running before you can split the screen. Open your first app fully, then follow the steps above to add the second app.

Another mistake is confusing the divider with the edge of the screen. If you drag too far to the edge, you will close split screen instead of resizing it. Drag slowly and stop before you reach the very edge if you only want to resize.

Finally, some readers try to use split screen on apps that do not support it and assume the feature is broken. Always check that the app you are trying to open actually supports split screen. If it does not, pick a different app—the feature itself is working fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than two apps open at the same time?

No. Samsung tablets support only two apps side by side in split screen mode. You can switch between different pairs of apps, but you cannot have three or more apps visible at once. If you need to use a third app, close one of the two and open the new one instead.

Does split screen work on all Samsung tablets?

Split screen works on most Samsung tablets from the Galaxy Tab S series and newer. Very old tablets (more than six or seven years old) may not have this feature. Check your tablet's Android version in Settings—if it is Android 9 or newer, split screen should be available.

Can I save a split screen setup so it opens the same way next time?

Samsung tablets do not save split screen pairs automatically. Each time you close split screen, the setup is forgotten. You will need to open the two apps and split them again the next time you want to use them together.

What should I do if split screen is not working?

First, make sure both apps support split screen—some apps straightforward do not work in this mode. If both apps should work, try restarting your tablet. Go to Settings, tap "Apps", find each app, and clear the cache. If the problem continues, update both apps through the Google Play Store.

Can I use split screen with keyboard and mouse?

Yes. If your Samsung tablet is connected to a keyboard and mouse or trackpad, you can use them to control both apps in split screen. Click on an app to focus it, then type or use the mouse as normal. The feature works the same way as it does with touch.